God

I am over the moon excited about this post because it is the first of MANY on my newly faith focused and Jesus centered blog. This space used to be a well known, fully active book blog. “What kind of books?” you may be asking. I can assure you they were books with narratives that were not drawing me nearer to Christ; books that were not encouraging me, a lot of them were dark at best and left me empty. However, I excelled at book blogging, but it was not what God wanted me to do. I am taking what I learned from that experience and applying it to Kingdom work, to worship Him, to encourage myself and others to surrender. God can use anyone and anything for His glory even people and spaces that do not believe. Isn’t that amazing? Some say I was foolish for walking away and “it couldn’t have been them”, but when He calls, HE CALLS. The time is not now, but I cannot wait to share this testimony with you in detail later. All in all I had to be obedient. As I have been studying and meditating on God’s word, daily, I’ve been thinking about that word: obedience and where I think mistakes are made in our surrender.

If we are defining the word ‘obedience’ in terms of biblical principle, we are simply hearkening to His authority. We are trusting Him completely. There is freedom in casting your heartache, your pain and your worry over to Him, but we don’t trust Him enough. Accepting Jesus into your life does NOT mean everything will be perfect, Jesus isn’t a genie. Your problems are not going to magically disappear. You may ask yourself, “Well what’s the point?”. The point is that we are wrecked. We are no good. We cannot be trusted or left to our own devices. Jesus died for us and carried all of our sins and through His death we are given new mercy and grace everyday. The point is to thank Him through worship, through stewardship and by spreading the gospel to others. This is what your obedience looks like and from your obedience you will be blessed but at its core, it isn’t about your blessings. It’s about your compliance to the cross. I know this is a tough pill to swallow for many because there is so much teaching about what He can do for YOU and not enough about what you should be doing for HIM.

We are closing 2018 and moving into a new year and around this time, particularly on social media and in church as well, you began to see posts referencing what God is going to do for you in the new year; the business he’s going to grow, the debt HE will cancel, the million dollars you’re going to have, the spouse you’ve been praying for, but rarely do you see resolutions that include your complete surrender to Jesus, the less fortunate you will serve in the new year, the testimonies that will come from your own, an increase in your prayer life or the people who’s hearts you will change. Submitting and being obedient to His will is for His glory NOT yours.

Jesus was obedient, and in His obedience, He suffered. He gave His life for others. Did you ever think that may be your prayer for a new home is supposed to be for a family less fortunate than you. Did you ever think that may be you prayers for a new business or growth in your current business is supposed to be for someone else, may be even for someone you’re not fond of. It’s hard for us to deal with this aspect of prayer and obedience because we have a selfish nature. See? Completely wrecked. However, the maturity in your faith and your worship comes from hearing the word of God. If you do not seek Him in your surrender you will be lost on those things you should be praying for and doing according to His will.

As I stated way up top, God will reward your obedience, but you should not do so just for rewards. Amen!? Luke 11:28 says,

“But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

I am understanding my call to be obedient and completely surrender as I have to die to self so that He may be glorified. It is a demonstration of my thankfulness and love for Him. 2 John 1: 6 says:

“And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning his command is that you walk in love.”

I am praying that in the new year, you walk in love meaning you pray in love, you serve in love, you minister in love; that you are selfless and that you show the world God’s love in your season of obedience. Yay!! You made it to the end. I pray that you were able to take something away from this post, We cannot afford to sugarcoat God’s plan for us. We have to be unlearn our own interpretations His word and be able to hear Him so that we may become a dwelling place for Him and for others to see. Are you ready to be obedient to His call?

cicivford

The Rustic Window is a visual space for the avid bookworm.

I'm CiCi V. Ford. This is a cozy space for those that crave God and Hid word, wanderlusters & daydreamers, book lovers, visualists and those that need a little encouragement. My site is a window into to my little life; my lifestyle, sentiments, ideas & things to inspire you. Thank you for being here and enjoy!